Dock with compliant connector mount

ABSTRACT

Docking stations having a connector with a compliant mount to provide improved durability and flexibility are provided herein. The compliant mount may couple a connector to a base of a docking station and may include at least a first and second flexure disposed there between. The first and second flexure may be configured to have flexural movement in along transverse direction so that, in combination, the flexural movement pivots the connector about a virtual pivot point a distance away from the flexures. The first and second flexures may be configured to project the virtual pivot point to a location on the connector where the connector protrudes from an opening in a docking housing, thereby minimizing the clearance required between the connector and docking housing, while providing controlled movement of the connector relative the dock.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application is a continuation application of, and claims priorityto, U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/610,832, filed Sep. 11, 2012,the contents of which are hereby incorporated by reference in itsentirety.

BACKGROUND

The present invention relates to a docking station for an electronicdevice. More particularly, the present invention relates to a dockingstation having a compliant connector mount that is more durable andflexible.

Portable electronic devices (such as phones, media players,notebook/netbook computers, tablet computers) are becoming ubiquitous intoday's society. Portable electronic devices commonly have displayscreens (e.g. a touch screen) on which users view and/or select data andfunctionality. For example, a user may select a video or otherpresentation to watch. In such circumstances, it is more convenient forthe user to have the device in an upright (viewable) position by placingthe device in some sort of holder so the user is not forced to hold thedevice during viewing.

Additionally, users would like to interface the display devices withother electronics. For example, a user may want to play music throughspeakers, or simply charge the device. However, during such interfacingor charging, the user would still like to be able to view the displayand/or controls of the device.

To provide such features, manufacturers provide docking stations (docks)in which a user can plug the device. Often the docks will have aconnector rising out from a surface, with the connector being in aposition such that the device can be viewed and/or used. However,connectors can be weak points, especially when devices become large andadditional stresses are placed on the connector, particularly inconnectors of relatively small size. The connector may also provide mostof the support of the device. Accordingly, the connectors of suchdocking stations can be damaged by misuse, e.g. being pulled in improperdirection.

SUMMARY

Embodiments of the present invention provide docking stations having aconnector with a compliant mount that is more flexible and durable. Someembodiments allow the connector to move when connected to a portableelectronic device. This movement of the connector can absorb undesirableforces, thereby reducing a likelihood of the connector breaking frommisuse. Examples of movement include sliding, translation, flexures,rotation and/or some combination thereof. For example, in someembodiments, if the portable electronic device is pushed forward, theconnector can rotate, thereby reducing the likelihood of breakage fromsuch a push.

In one aspect, the invention provides a mount configured to flex whenthe connector is stressed so as to pivot the connector at a projected orvirtual pivot point a distance away from where the flexure occurs. Insome embodiments, the mount is configured to provide at least twoflexures or flexure hinges so that the flexural movement of the at leasttwo flexures, in combination, pivots the connector about the virtual orprojected pivot point, the pivot point being disposed a distance awayfrom either point of flexure. The flexures of the compliant mount mayalso be configured to provide sufficient rigidity to the connector tosupport a portable device when mounted on the connector within the dockin an upright position, sufficient flexibility to allow angulardisplacement of a mounted portable device, and sufficient elasticity toprovide a resilient biasing force to return a mounted portable devicefrom a displaced position to the upright position. The flexures may beconfigured to provide controlled movement within a desired range ofmovement. For example, the flexures may allow a portable device mountedon the connector to tilt forward from a non-stressed mounted plane withincreasing resistance to a maximum angular displacement within a rangeof 90 degrees or less, or in some embodiments, 45 degrees to 10 degrees.The flexures may be configured to distribute and absorb stressesassociated with displacement of the connector, thereby reducing thelikelihood of damage to the devices or associated connectors.

In another aspect, the compliant mount may be configured with a biastoward a particular position, such as an upright position, such that theelectronic device is supported by the compliant mount (or alternativelyby a rear reference surface of the docking station), thereby preventingundue strain on the rotatable connector in the non-deflected position.The bias of the compliant mount can be controlled by the shape andmaterial properties of the compliant mount. For example, in someembodiments, the compliant mount is configured to support the connectorin an upright position that is tilted back slightly, when the compliantmount is unstressed and unflexed so as to facilitate viewing oroperation of the portable device by a user when mounted in the dock. Theconnector may be disposed partly below and partly above an outer shellof a base of the docking station, and pivot at a location on theconnecter near an opening in the outer shell of the dock base throughwhich the connector protrudes, thereby reducing movement of theconnector near the opening. This aspect allows the opening in thehousing to be minimized, and reduces the likelihood of interferencebetween the connector and the docking housing as the connector pivots.

According to one embodiment, a docking station can include a base, arear reference surface for at least partly supporting a portableelectronic device in the upright position, and a movable connector thatis configured to receive and electrically couple to a receptacleconnector of the portable device. The movable connector can be coupledto the base by a compliant mount and biased toward the upright position.The rear reference surface can be mechanically coupled to the base andadapted to support the portable electronic device when the electronicdevice is coupled to the rotatable connector in its upright position.The compliant mount may include one or more flexures or flexure hingesto provide pivotal movement of the connector. In some embodiments, thecompliant mount includes at least two flexure hinges so that theflexural movements, in combination, move the connector about a virtualpivot point a distance away from either point of flexure. In otherembodiments, the compliant mount includes three or more flexure hinges,so that overlapping of the range of movement associate with flexureoccurs at a desired pivot point location, such as near where theconnector protrudes from an opening in a housing of a device, such as adocking station.

In some embodiments, the compliant mount includes at least two flexurehinges and one or both of at least two flexure hinges includes a seriesof undulations, such as a series of S-shaped or sinusoidal curves, toprovide increased flexibility and elasticity to the compliant mount. Aflexure hinge may also include a thinned plate having a plurality ofopening, such as a series of elongate opening therein, so as to allowflexure of the plate, or a cantilever hinge. The at least two flexurehinges may be configured in series, in parallel or any combination sothat the combined flexure movement of the at least two flexure hingesprovides a desired movement of a connector attached thereto. Althoughvarious types and configures of flexure hinges are described herein, itis appreciated the flexure hinges of a compliant mount may includehinges of the same or differing types and configuration, including anycombination of configurations or types of flexures.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a docking mount and portable deviceaccording to embodiments of the present invention.

FIG. 2 shows the portable device of FIG. 1 mounted to the connectorwithin the docking station.

FIGS. 3A-3B show a side view of the portable device mounted in thedocking station in an upright position and a side view of the portableelectronic device tilted forward relative docking station.

FIG. 4 shows an example docking stations having a connector with acompliant mount.

FIG. 5A-5C show various views an example docking station with acompliant connector mount having a series of undulations orconvolutions.

FIGS. 6A-6B show side and perspective views of a connector supported inan upright position within the compliant mount of FIG. 5A.

FIGS. 7A-7B show side and perspective views of a connector having beentilted forward by an applied force, the compliant mount flexed forwardinto a deflected position.

FIG. 8A show a superimposed side view of a connector within thecompliant mount in the natural/non-deflected upright position and theforward-tilt/deflected position.

FIG. 8B shows a perspective view of the connector and compliant mount ofFIG. 8A.

FIGS. 8C-8D show cut-away side views of the connector on the compliantmount of FIG. 8A within a docking station housing in each of the uprightposition and deflected position, respectively.

FIGS. 9A-1 to 9C-1 and 9A-2 to 9C-2 show perspective and side views ofthe compliant connector mount of FIG. 8A, respectively, during a finiteelement stress analysis as the compliant mount flexes from the uprightposition to deflected position.

FIG. 10 shows a cut-away view of alternative example of a connector andcompliant mount within a docking station.

FIGS. 11A-11C show various perspective views of the compliant mount ofFIG. 10.

FIGS. 12A-12C show a cut-away view of another example connector withcompliant mount in a docking assembly and a detail perspective and sideview of the connector and compliant mount, respectively.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Embodiments of the present invention provide a docking station (dock)having a connector with a compliant mount that allows for improveddurability, flexibility and control of movement of the connector. Theseobjectives can be accomplished, in part, by allowing the connector tomove so that the connected portable electronic device does not put asignificant amount of force on the connector. For example, with limitedreference surfaces (surfaces that can touch the electronic device whenit is connected with the connector), a joint of a fixed connector mayweaken if the portable electronic device is forced off itsattachment/detachment axis. Such a force may occur inadvertently when auser reaches for the device. The force of the push and/or the force ofthe weight of the device, which may weaken the joint, instead simplymoves the connector.

In one aspect, the connector may be configured to move or pivot relativeto the dock base in order to better distribute the forces when an offaxis force is applied, e.g., it moves with the force rather thancompletely resisting the force by not moving. In some embodiments, theconnector is attached to the dock base through a compliant mount ofwhich flexure allows the connector attached thereto to pivot about aprojected or virtual pivot point from an upright position to anangularly displaced or tilted position, thereby accommodating a forceapplied to the connector through a portable device mounted in thedocking station. The compliant mount may be configured with a biastowards a natural position in which the connector is supported upright,the bias providing a resilient force when displaced so as to inhibitforward tilt movement of the portable device beyond a maximum angulardisplacement and to resiliently return the connector to the uprightposition when the applied force is removed. The precise motion of theconnector and forces from any biasing mechanism can be tuned to providea desired motion and feel when a user moves the electronic device.

As used herein, a portable electronic device is of such size andproportion that it may be carried in the hand(s) of a person. Examplesof portable electronic devices include but are not limited to mediaplayers that play or otherwise transmit audio and/or visual (video orpicture) signals (e.g., iPod) and phones that allow users to communicateremotely through wireless connections. Portable electronic devices mayalso correspond to mini-computers, tablet computers, PDAs, internet oremail based devices. In fact, portable electronic devices may be acombination of specific or dedicated devices mentioned above (e.g., asmart phone such as the iPhone™), manufactured and sold by Apple Inc. ofCupertino, Calif., the assignee of the present application.

Embodiments of the invention are discussed below with reference tofigures. However, those skilled in the art will readily appreciate thatthe detailed description given herein with respect to these figures isfor explanatory purposes as the invention extends beyond theseembodiments. For example, embodiments may be used with various types ofconnectors between device, including non-portable devices.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a connector assembly in accordance withembodiments of the present invention. The connector 110 extends upwardsfrom a base of a dock or docking station 300 and can be attached andremoved from a corresponding mating connector along a mating axis 130.The corresponding mating connector may for example be a connectorcarried by an electronic device, such as portable electronic device 200.The connectors can slide on/off along mating axis 130 in order to coupleand decouple the electrical contacts associated with the connectors. Inthe embodiment shown, the connector assembly 100 includes a connector110 that protrudes upwards from within a recessed docking well 320 of adocking station 300 so as to be received within a correspondingconnector receptacle 210 of a portable device such that the connector110, at least in part, supports the portable device 200 when mounted inthe upright position. As can be seen in FIG. 1, connector 110 protrudesthrough an opening 330 in the housing 310 of dock 300. Such a dockingstation can provide a platform for quickly and easily coupling aportable electronic device to another system or device as for example acomputer, a power source, or peripheral devices such as a monitor, akeyboard, speakers, etc. The docking station can also hold theelectronic device in a position suitable for viewing a display of theelectronic device.

Docking stations may be a stand-alone unit that communicates with otherdevices or systems through wired (e.g., cables) or wireless (e.g.,Bluetooth) connections, or alternatively, a docking station may beintegrated directly into the other devices or systems. In oneembodiment, connector 110 may be connected to other electronics housedwithin the docking station via a flexible or movably-enabled connection,such as swiping contacts, wires, traces, flexible circuits and/or thelike. Some of these examples may include slack so that the connector canmove between positions. The electronics may be widely varied. Theelectronics may for example include circuit boards, controllers,connectors, and the like. The electronics can be fixed within the bodyor configured to be movable to help manage the connection between theelectronics and connector 110, as connector 110 moves. For example, aprinted circuit board may slide along rails. Certain embodiments aredescribed in more detail below.

Docking station 300 can also hold electronic device 200 in a positionsuitable for viewing a display 213 of the electronic device. Dockingstation 300 may include a base, which may contain various electronics,ballast, and the like. The base can serve to keep docking station 300balanced and supported on a surface such as a table, as well as keepelectronic device 200 balanced and supported when mounted thereto.Docking station 300 may also provide one or more reference surfaces forhelping support the electronic device in an upright position.

Connector 110 may be coupled to other connectors, ports, jacks,transceivers, or cables of the docking station, thereby providingexternal connections to the other devices or systems. In the case of anintegrated docking station, connector 110 may be wired directly to thecomponents of the host device or system. In some cases, connector 110 issubstantially on its own while in other cases the connector may be partof a module that includes a secondary structure, such as a housing.

In various embodiments, connector 110 can correspond to USB, Firewire,or other standardized connector formats. In one example, connector 110is an 8-pin connector compatible with the Apple iPod® and iPhone™devices. In an embodiment, the 8-pin connector has a thin low profile(as shown) with spaced apart side by side pins, which may be in a singlerow. In one embodiment, the electronic device can have a femaleconnector receptacle connector that connects with connector 110, whichmay be a male connector plug. In alternative embodiments, the electronicdevice can have a male connector receptacle that connects with a femaleconnector plug of a dock. In this embodiment, the female receptacle maybe situated in a housing.

In one embodiment, an insertable tab of connector 110 protrudes throughan opening 330 in an outer housing 310 of the docking station 300, theinsertable tab portion 114 having a plurality of electrical contacts 122disposed thereon being exposed and substantially free from externalwalls and surfaces (e.g. no or limited walls that surround or areadjacent to the connector) to facilitate mating engagement within thecorresponding receptacle 210 of the portable device 200. As such,connector 110 may be configured to support electronic devices coupledthereto via a corresponding mating connector with limited or noreference surfaces provided for the electronic device. While in variousembodiments connector 110 protrudes from an opening 330 within a dockingwell 320 of a dock 300, connector 110 need not be disposed within arecess or cavity and instead may extend outward from a surface such thatits sides are exposed. As shown in FIG. 2, in various embodiments,connector 110 is configured to protrude upwards in an upright position(a major component extending along the z axis) so that when a portabledevice 200 is mounted thereon, the portable device, as well as connector110, extends through a mounting plane P_(m) through which insertion axis130 extends.

Because connector 110 can be exposed and substantially free fromreference surfaces, undesirable off-axis forces may be exerted onconnector 110 especially when an electronic device is connected thereon.For example, during a removal event, the electronic device may berotated, pushed, pulled away from the mating axis thereby impartingundesirable forces on connector 110. By way of example, if mating axis130 is in the direction of the z axis, undesirable forces may beimparted on the connector by translating the electronic device in x andy as well as rotations about x, y and z axes. In addition, there mayeven be some forces pulling/pushing on the connector along the z axisdue to friction between the mating connectors. Certain configurations ofconnector 110 may lead to more susceptible areas of undesirable forces.

Of particular concern, are torques and bending stresses that may beapplied to connector 110 through manual articulation of a portabledevice 200 mounted thereon, such as shown in FIGS. 3A-3B. It may bedesirable to allow pivotal movement of the connector 110 relative to thedock 300 to accommodate angular displacement θ_(b) of the portabledevice from the mounting plane P_(m), such as when a user may tilt theportable device 200 forward, as in FIG. 3B. Although various mechanismsmay be used to allow for such rotational movement of the connector 100,often such mechanisms may result in excessive movement of the connector100 so that an opening through which the connector 110 extends must belarger than desired to provide sufficient clearance for movement of theconnector 110. In addition, the presence of such mechanisms mayinterfere with the housing of the dock or require additional clearancewithin the dock itself. Therefore, it would be desirable to provide aflexible, movable connector 110 that pivots substantially about a pointat or near where the connector 110 protrudes through an opening so as tominimize the required clearance between the connector 110 and thehousing 310 of the dock 300. This presents challenges, however, sincethe connector 110 is often fabricated from a substantially rigidmaterial to withstand the stress of ordinary use and ensure integrity ofthe electrical connection and the connector itself, particularly inconnector having relatively small dimensions. It would be furtherdesirable to provide a controlled movement of the connector 110 within adesired range of angular displacements θ_(b), while reducing the overallsize and complexity of the mechanisms by which such movement of theconnector 110 is achieved.

In one aspect, to achieve the above noted objectives, the connector 110is attached to a base of the dock 300 by a compliant mount 100 thatallows for movement of the connector 110 at a virtual pivot pointrelative to the base at or near where the connector 110 protrudes from ahousing of the dock 300 by providing flexural movement a distance belowthe virtual pivot point. By projecting the pivot point a distance awayfrom the flexure that provide for the pivotal movement, the compliantmount 100 can avoid interference with the housing of the dock. Thecompliant mount 100 may also be configured to allow for movement of theconnector 100 about a pivotal axis substantially parallel to the x-axis,such as shown by the arrow in FIG. 4.

FIGS. 5A-5C illustrate an example of one such compliant mount 100, thecompliant mount including a first and second flexure hinge, each flexurehinge comprising a series of S-shaped undulation or convolutions (asshown in FIG. 5B). The series of S-shaped curves providing sufficientflexure to accommodate a range of movement of the connector 110 withoutelastically deforming so as to provide a resilient force to bias theconnector 110 towards an upright position, as shown in FIG. 5A.Providing two hinges having flexural movement in different directionsallows the connector 110 to pivot about a virtual pivot point vpprojected a distance away from the points of flexure on the flexurehinges. The location of the pivot point vp, may be a substantially fixedlocation relative to the dock 300 or may be a range of location withinclose proximity. Alternatively, the location of the virtual pivot pointvp may be disposed along a line or curve defined by the overlappingranges of motion of the one or more flexure hinges of the compliantmount.

In the embodiment of FIGS. 5A-C and 6A-6B, the compliant mount 100comprises a first flexure hinge 102 and a second flexure hinge 104, eachhaving a major dimension extending along the x-axis so as to distributeand better withstand any torsional forces applied through the connector110. The first and second flexure hinge 102, 104 are connected to eachother by two beams 106 extending along the y-axis which in turn arecoupled with the connector 110 through connector plate 107 extendingbetween the pair of beams 106. The connector 110 may be rigidly coupledwith the connector plate 107, such as by a weld, or may be integrallyformed with the plate 107. In the present embodiment, each of theS-shaped curves extends between a mounting plate 109 rigidly attached tothe bottom inside surface of the dock housing 310 and one of the pair ofbeams 106 connecting the first and second flexure hinges 102, 104.Although in the present embodiment, each flexure hinge includes fourS-shaped undulations, it is appreciated other embodiments may includeflexure hinges of different numbers of undulations, such as one to tenundulations, or various other shapes having flexural properties, such aschevrons, coils, and diamonds.

FIGS. 6A-6B illustrate the compliant mount with connector in a “natural”(n) position towards which the compliant mount 100 is naturally biased.In this position, the first and second flexure hinges 102, 104 arenon-displaced and under minimal stresses, such as those associated withsupporting the connector 110.

FIGS. 7A-7B illustrate the example compliant mount 100 with connector110 in a “deflected” (d) position in which the connector 110 has beentilted forward towards the first flexure hinge 102. In this position,the first and second flexure hinges 102, 104 are under stress and areflexed along their respective flexural axes 102′ and 104′ respectively.As can be understood with reference to the arrows in FIG. 7A, movementof the first flexure hinge in combination with movement of the secondflexure along their respective axes results in a pivotal or rotationaltype movement of connector 110 about a virtual pivot point vp. In someembodiments, this point can be determined by an intersection of thenormal axes 102′_(N) and 104′_(N) of the flexural movement. Although insome embodiments, the virtual pivot point is substantially fixedrelative to the dock, in other embodiments, the virtual pivot point maymove along with the flexural axes along which flexural movement occurs.Thus, the location at which the virtual pivot point occurs can beprecisely controlled by adjusting the flexural properties of the flexurehinges as well as by their configured location and orientation. In theembodiment shown, the first and second flexure hinges are configured sothat the virtual pivot point occurs near a first section of theconnector 110 which protrudes through the opening of the dock housing310. By configuring the compliant mount 100 to provide a virtual pivotpoint at this location, such as shown in FIG. 5C, movement of theconnector 110 at this location is minimized, which requires lessclearance between the connector 110 and the dock housing 310, therebyallowing the size of the opening through which the connector protrudesto be reduced. This aspect can be understood further with reference toFIGS. 8C-8D, which shows clearance gaps (g,g′) between the front andrear surfaces of the connector 110 and the rigid housing 310 at theopening 133 through the connector 110 protrudes.

Coupling the base of the connector 110 to a connector plate 107 having awidth greater than a width of the connector 110 allows the compliantmount to distribute forces applied through the connector 110 over agreater distance so as to provide improved resistance to rotationalforces about each of the x, y and z-axes. In addition, distributing theforces over a first and second flexure hinge having a width along thex-axes greater than that of the connector 110 assists in reducing thestresses to allow the flexure of the hinges to remain below plasticdeformation so that the flexure hinges can accommodate flexural movementwhile still maintain sufficient elasticity to provide a resilient biastowards the upright position.

FIG. 8A shows a superimposed side view of the compliant mount 100 andconnector 110 of FIG. 5A in the natural (n), non-deflected position andthe deflected position (d). In some embodiments, as the angulardisplacement θ_(b) of the connector 110 increased, the resilient forceprovided by the first and second flexure hinges also increases therebyinhibiting displacement of the connector 110 beyond a maximum range, soas to prevent damage to either the devices or associated connectors. Theresilient force is determined largely by the configuration (e.g.position, dimensions, and orientation) and material properties of theflexural hinges, which may be selected to provide a desired range ofallowable angular displacement or biasing force. In some embodiments,the first and second flexure hinges are configured to provide a maximumangular displacement within a range of about 10 degrees to 45 degreesfrom the mounted plane P_(m) through which the connector 110 extendswhen in the natural, non-deflected position.

FIGS. 9A-1 to 9C-1 and 9A-2 to 9C-2 show perspective and side views ofthe connector and compliant mount of FIG. 8A, respectively, during afinite element stress analysis as the compliant mount flexes from theupright position to deflected position. The more flexure experiencedwithin the first and second flexure hinges, the stress is visible withinthe flexural hinges 102, 104. In addition, the greater the flexuredisplacement, the greater the resilient force biasing the hinges backtowards the natural position assuming that displacement remains belowplastic deformation.

FIGS. 10 and 11A-11C shows a cut-away view of alternative example of aconnector and compliant mount within a docking station. Similar to theembodiment in FIG. 5A, the compliant mount 100 includes an A-frame typeconfiguration with an inclined first flexure hinge 102 and a declinedsecond flexure hinge 104 connected by beam 106 to which a base of theconnector 110 is attached such that the combined movement of the firstand second flexure hinge project a pivot point upwards a distance awayfrom the hinges to a virtual pivot point disposed at or near where theconnector protrudes through an opening in the dock housing 310. Theseries of openings within the thin plate of each of the first and secondflexure hinges reduces the stiffness to allow sufficient flexure of thehinge to accommodate a range angular displacement of the connector 110,yet provide sufficient rigidity to inhibit flexure beyond a maximumrange of angular displacement, and sufficient elasticity to provide aresilient biasing force toward the natural, upright position shown inFIGS. 10 and 11C.

FIGS. 12A-12C show a cut-away view of another example connector with acompliant mount having a first and second flexure hinge. In thisembodiment, each flexure hinge comprises a reverse cantilever design,the first and second hinges being arranged in series between theconnector 110 and the mounting plate 109 attached to the dock housing310. Similar to the embodiment described above, the first and secondhinges are configured so that, in combination, flexure movement of thefirst and second flexure hinges provides movement of the connector abouta virtual pivot point projected a distance away from either hinges, suchas at a location on the connector 110 at or near where the connectorprotrudes through the opening in the dock housing. In this embodiment,as the connector 110 pivots forwards, the first flexure hinge (the lowercantilever) pivots downward while the second flexure hinge pivotsupwards.

It is appreciated that although in various embodiments the compliantmount is described as including at least a first and second flexure orflexure hinge, the complaint mount is not so limited and may includeadditional flexure hinges or varying combinations of flexure hinges, asdesired, to provide additional flexibility or improved control over themovement of the connector relative to the dock. The specific details ofparticular embodiments may be combined in any suitable manner or variedfrom those shown and described herein without departing from the spiritand scope of embodiments of the invention. Moreover, the invention mayalso provide other features of docking stations, such as speakers, avideo screen computers, and charging mechanisms.

The above description of exemplary embodiments of the invention has beenpresented for the purposes of illustration and description. It is notintended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise formdescribed, and many modifications and variations are possible in lightof the teaching above. The embodiments were chosen and described inorder to best explain the principles of the invention and its practicalapplications to thereby enable others skilled in the art to best utilizethe invention in various embodiments and with various modifications asare suited to the particular use contemplated.

1-20. (canceled)
 21. A docking station for a portable electronic device,the docking station comprising: a base; a connector movably coupled withthe base; and a compliant mount coupling the connector to the base, thecompliant mount being configured to support the connector in a mountingposition for mounting of the portable electronic device on theconnector, wherein the compliant mount is configured with one or moreflexures between the base and connector such that a combination ofmovements, including flexural movement of the one or more flexures,moves the connector about a pivot point projected a distance away from apoint flexure of the one or more flexures.
 22. The docking station ofclaim 21, wherein the combination of movements include any of a sliding,translation, flexure, and rotational movement.
 23. The docking stationof claim 21, wherein the compliant mount is configured to support theconnector in the mounting position when in a non-displaced state suchthat the one or more flexures provide a biasing force towards themounting position that increases with flexural displacement of the oneor more flexures.
 24. The docking station of claim 23, wherein theconnector is configured to receive and electrically couple to areceptacle connector of the portable electronic device, the stationfurther comprising electronic circuitry electronically coupled with aplurality of contacts of the connector, wherein the compliant mountfurther includes a flexible circuit that electrically couples themoveable connector with the electronic circuitry.
 25. The dockingstation of claim 21, wherein the one or more flexures comprise a firstflexure and a second flexure extending parallel to and spaced apart fromeach other.
 26. The docking station of claim 25, wherein the firstflexure flexes along a first flexure axis and the second flexure hingeflexes along a second flexure axis, the first and second flexure axesbeing transverse to one another such that a normal axis of the firstflexure axis intersects a normal axis of the second flexure axis at ornear the projected pivot point.
 27. The docking station of claim 21,wherein the compliant mount is configured so that the projected pivotpoint is located at or near where the connector couples to the compliantmount.
 28. The docking station of claim 21, wherein the base includes anouter shell having an opening through which the connector protrudes, andwherein the compliant mount is configured so that the projected pivotpoint is located on the connector at or near where the connectorprotrudes through the opening.
 29. The docking station of claim 21,wherein the one or more flexures comprises a first flexure and a secondflexure, wherein the connector is coupled to the compliant mount betweenthe first and second flexures.
 30. The docking station of claim 21,wherein the one or more flexures comprises a first flexure and a secondflexure, wherein the first and second flexures are disposed betweenwhere the compliant mount couples to the base and where the compliantmount couples to the connector.
 31. The docking station of claim 21,wherein at least one flexure of the one or more flexures comprisesundulating segments that undulate along an axis substantially parallelto a pivotal axis of the projected pivot point.
 32. The docking stationof claim 31, wherein the undulating segments comprise a series ofS-shaped or sinusoidal curves.
 33. The docking station of claim 21,wherein the one or more flexures comprise multiple cantilevers connectedin series.
 34. The docking station of claim 21, wherein at least oneflexure of the one or more flexures comprises a series of beamsextending between where the compliant mount is coupled to the connectorand where the compliant mount is coupled with the base.
 35. The dockingstation of claim 23, wherein the one or more flexures are configuredwith sufficient flexibility to allow a desired angular displacement ofthe connector from the mounting position when a displacing force isapplied to the connector.
 36. The docking station of claim 25, whereinthe one or more flexures are configured with sufficient stiffness toinhibit angular displacement of the connector beyond a maximum anglewithin a range of about 10 to 45 degrees.
 37. The docking station ofclaim 36, wherein the one or more flexures are configured withsufficient elasticity so as to resiliently return the connector to themounting position when the displacing force is removed.
 38. The dockingstation of claim 21, wherein the projected pivot point is at asubstantially fixed location relative to the base.
 39. The dockingstation of claim 21, wherein the projected pivot point is within a rangeof locations near where the connector attaches to the compliant mountand moves within the range of locations during displacing movement ofthe connector provided by the compliant mount.
 40. A docking station fora portable electronic device, the docking station comprising: a baseincluding an outer shell having an opening; a compliant mount coupledwith the base within the outer shell; and a connector coupled to thecompliant mount and protruding through the opening in the outer shell ofthe base, the connector having a first section below the outer shell anda second section above the outer shell, the second section beingconfigured to receive and electrically couple to a correspondingconnector of the portable electronic device, the first section beingrigidly attached to the compliant mount, wherein the compliant mount isconfigured with one or more flexures between the base and connector suchthat a combination of movements, including flexural movement of the oneor more flexures, moves the connector about a pivot point projected adistance away from a point flexure of the one or more flexures.